Q.
I appreciate much of what Dor Deah stands for, and feel that it’s necessary for this movement to spread worldwide. What practical steps has Dor Deah taken to achieve this goal? Will there be Dor Deah centers worldwide?
A.
Our first major step towards that end was the creation of our website DorDeah.com. The website is intended to be a resource center that aids the spread of the good news of G-d’s eternal guidance for mankind, the Torah. We have already completed the rough-drafts of our Hebrew and English prayer books, both of which are available online free of charge. This is an essential tool for establishing a daily routine in accord with halakha. The prayer book aids in creating such a routine by providing constant reminders that YHWH alone is our Venerable Authority, and that He is King over all the earth, in every circumstance and moment of the day. More tools and resources will be added with time. Many are already under way. If you know foreign languages, you can help build our website by providing translations of already existing articles. If you know no foreign languages, you can help us in public relations by spreading our approach and clarifying concepts where you see misconceptions arise. Although our fundamentals are rooted in traditional Jewish sources, they baffle many who are convinced that they already have a grasp on all of Jewish teaching. Consequently, any clarification or defense of our views is both needed and appreciated.
Beyond our website, we aim to be an international community that upholds the fundamentals summarized on the ‘Our Fundamentals‘ page. Our goal is to unite individuals who hold to these fundamentals, to establish real communities where like-minded people can build families, in-person friendships, send their children to schools where the same fundamentals will be followed, and where newcomers will be warmly welcome. This goal can only be realized if we work together, we all put forth effort, and are willing to make some sacrifices.
We are currently in the preliminary stages of establishing our first community in North Miami Beach, FL. In order for this to be a success, we need to have people who wholeheartedly agree with our vision move near us. This is necessary for the creation of a functioning synagogue. Without a synagogue, we remain just an idea. No synagogue, no community. Those who join us must also put forth effort to spread our message and encourage others to join. One individual can start a fire, but it takes many individuals to spread the flame, sustain it, and make it stronger.
With G-d’s help, when we have enough members and funding, we will move our synagogue to a more spacious location where multiple classes can be held and a school founded. In addition to creating thriving congregations and schools, betterment of the world around us is also a goal, if not an end. In harmony with this, it is our intention that soup-kitchens be set up and that various community service projects become our hallmark. Doing so will improve the reputation of the Jewish people and sanctify G-d’s Name. We want the world to say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people;’ (Deu. 4,6) Knowledge of YHWH will not cover the earth as the waters cover the sea (Is. 11,9; Hab. 2,14) until the multitudes know where the source of that knowledge is to be found. If we don’t inform them, how will they find it? These same steps must be followed in the establishment of sister communities to be founded in other locales around the world.
With HaShem’s help, na’aseh w-nasliyah (we shall do it and we shall succeed!)
R’ Yosef Eliyah
* DorDeah.com is an independent organization. DorDeah.com is not affiliated with www.mechon-mamre.org, the “Torath Moshe Society,” nor Chabad-Lubavitch. Though we are grateful for the contributions of these organizations in providing Mishne Torah resources, we do not endorse all the views espoused by these organizations.